Time outdoors, fresh air and exercise – there’s no doubt why hiking is becoming more popular with each passing day. People around the world have opened up to the benefits of getting out of their comfort zone and exploring nature, whether a short stroll or an adventurous climb. From numerous health benefits to a smaller environmental impact compared to other activities, here are five reasons why more people are turning to hiking as a way to relax, explore and remain healthy.
1. Health Benefits Of Hiking
Hiking is an excellent way to stay fit and healthy. It offers a variety of health benefits, from improving cardiovascular fitness to helping with weight control. Hiking can be done anywhere, making it a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature while getting some exercise.
One of the primary benefits of hiking is that it helps reduce the risk of heart disease. The physical activity involved in hiking increases your heart rate, which strengthens your heart muscles and lowers blood pressure. This can help reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as stroke or heart attack. Additionally, hiking can help improve your overall cardiovascular fitness by increasing endurance and stamina.
2. Environmental Impact Of Hiking
Hiking is a popular recreational activity that can have both positive and negative impacts on the environment. While it can provide a great way to explore nature, it also has the potential to cause significant damage to natural habitats. Trampling of native vegetation is one of the most common environmental impacts of hiking, as hikers often unknowingly step on fragile plants and disrupt delicate ecosystems. This can lead to soil erosion, which can further degrade the land and make it less hospitable for wildlife. Additionally, hikers may leave behind food or litter that attracts animals, potentially leading them away from their preferred habitats or causing them to become dependent on human sources of food.
3. Improved Mental Health And Stress Relief
Hiking is an ideal way to improve mental health and relieve stress. It provides an opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, connect with nature, and practice mindfulness. Being outdoors in nature can reduce stress levels, calm anxiety, and even lower the risk of depression. Fresh air can make you feel rejuvenated and refreshed which helps to combat stress. The natural environment can provide relief from mental fatigue as well as recovery from stress. Walking in nature has been proven to decrease activity in the part of the brain associated with depression, making it a great way to promote relaxation as well.
4. Opportunity To Explore Nature
Hiking is an excellent way to explore nature and get some exercise. With more than 20 million people hiking each year, it’s no wonder that trails and parks have been developed across the country to accommodate this activity. Hiking has become the number one most enjoyed activity for active travellers, overtaking a range of other popular pastimes such as kayaking, scuba diving, and horse riding. To make hiking more enjoyable you can make use of a walking route planner. one option is from a company called Visorando which has a free and aif version of walking a route planner.
5. Increased Popularity Of Outdoor Activities
The trend of outdoor activities is on the rise in recent times. People are increasingly looking for ways to stay active and healthy while also spending quality time with their family and friends. Hiking, camping, fishing, bird watching, and gardening have become some of the most popular outdoor activities that people engage in. This can be attributed to the fact that these activities are relatively easy to do and provide a great opportunity for people to get out into nature and enjoy the fresh air.
Finally, many outdoor activities are also great educational opportunities as they allow individuals to learn about different ecosystems or species in their area which can be both fun and informative at the same time. For example, bird watching allows people not only to observe different species but also to gain knowledge about them such as migration patterns or nesting habits which can be quite fascinating! Similarly, fishing provides an opportunity for people to learn about aquatic habitats while gardening helps teach individuals how plants grow over time which are all invaluable lessons that will last a lifetime!
